Yellowstone Begins Bison Slaughter

(BILLINGS, MT) – Yellowstone National Park is transferring 20 bison to a Montana Indian tribe for slaughter. Park officials want to drastically reduce the size of the nation’s largest genetically pure bison herd, which now numbers over 4,600 animals. Yellowstone administrators have plans to kill off approximately 600 bison this winter if the animals migrate to lower elevations in Montana. Many of Yellowstone’s bison carry brucellosis, which poses a major threat to Montana’s vibrant cattle industry. The park has been working with Indian tribes around the region to supply meat for tribal members as an alternative to traditional bison hunts.